In my new WIP, The Boyfriend Plague, one of the central issues is a fairly controversial one. All of a sudden, I'm seeing references to it everywhere. Magazine articles, newspaper opinion pieces. It's everywhere. And everyone seems to have impassioned opinions.
One part of me is cheering. Good work Kate! You've tapped into the cultural zeitgeist. Another part of me is saying 'uh oh. By the time this book comes out (assuming it does) this issue's gonna be done to death'.
It's something I have very passionate feelings about myself, and in my first draft, I didn't include this particular plot line. I veered close to it, but steered clear of actually going the distance with it, but now that I'm revising, I see that I can't leave it out. It does one of the characters a disservice. It's too important to pussy-foot around.
Have you ever noticed that often, when you learn about something new, or become fascinated with a subject, it suddenly seems to be popping up all over the place? Or you learn a new word that you've never come across before only to find it constantly in the weeks that follow?
There's actually a name for that, and I can't remember what it is. For instance, someone will buy a new car and they never noticed before how many of them are on the road, but they become much more noticable after. It's in the forefront of your mind now.
ReplyDeleteIf it's that contreversial an issue, unless it's based on a fad, I bet it will still carry weight in a year or two or five. Definitely a good thing to address it ^_^
I think this particular issue is so emotionally charged, and so controversial, there will never be a consensus on how to deal with it, so it will always be relevant. Just weird how I'm seeing it pop up all over the place now. it's not like that was my motivation to use it...
ReplyDeleteHappens all the time, and it makes me crazy.
ReplyDeleteIt's weird isn't it? Like there is some kind of order to the world or something...
ReplyDeleteYES! I don't know if it is because I look for it more now that I'm writing this certain piece, but I see similar ones popping up all over the place now and I am saying the same, "oh no". What to do what to do? I guess we just continue writing it:)
ReplyDeleteYes! Just keep writing. You can't give up just because someone else had the same idea...
ReplyDelete